Nation

Ship in restricted area detained

Seized: The vessel that was detained for illegal anchoring at an unauthorised area in Pengerang waters in Johor.

KOTA TINGGI: A Mongolian-registered vessel has been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency for anchoring in an unauthorised area in Pengerang waters.

Tanjung Sedili chief enforcement officer Maritime Captain Amran Daud said that a team on routine patrol spotted the vessel anchoring at 2.4 nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Ramunia at around 6pm on Saturday.

Initial checks revealed that the Ulan Bator-registered vessel was carrying marine gas oil and was manned by a six-man Vietnamese crew between the ages of 26 and 50.

“The vessel was detained as it had anchored in a restricted area.

“Further checks also found that it had no valid documents or permission to anchor in Malaysian waters,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Amran said the captain and its chief engineer were being detained to assist in investigations under Section 491B (1)(I) of the Merchant Ship Ordinance.

Such an offence could lead to a fine of not more than RM100,000 or two years imprisonment or both upon conviction.

Amran also said that the agency had detained 15 vessels for similar offences in the first eight months of this year.

In another case, a fishing boat was detained for breaching the terms of his class C licence in Pengerang waters.

Amran said the boat was spotted at 8.2 nautical miles east of Tanjung Balau at 11am yesterday.

“The fishing boat had four crew members including the tekong,” he said.

Amran also added that, like the Monogolian-registered vessel, the captain of the fishing boat was not in possession of proper documentation.

He said the agency would continue to patrol and increase its presence especially in Pengerang waters.

Amran said it was important for the agency to continue with its efforts to ensure all vessels adhered to the ruling.

Those who have information on illegal marine activities should contact the agency’s Labuan hotline at 087-427999 or through MERS 999.